Irish Juniors Volleyball Club

TheIrish Juniors Volleyball Club is now being formed for the 2012 season. Select volleyball players that have shown an interest in increasing their volleyball experience and have a sincere interest in playing high school volleyball are invited to consider this opportunity. This Volleyball Club was formed in order to provide enhanced training opportunities at a much lower cost than those of area independent clubs, to avoid conflicts with school and independent club volleyball schedules, and add to the overallvolleyball experience for its invited participants.

Organization:

For those of you that are unfamiliar, this is “Junior” or “Club” Volleyball for girls participating inUSA Volleyball and/or Junior Volleyball Association tournaments. The Irish Juniorswill participate in the 12, 13, 14, 15-and-under age group divisions as appropriate.

The Irish Juniors volleyball staff is dedicated to the purpose of player development and providing more volleyball opportunities for Indianapolis area junior high aged athletes. Our goal is to provide players with the option of participating in Junior Volleyball without the high cost and time demands associated with some of the area’s for-profit clubs.

The Irish Juniors Club teams are not highly publicized, open invitation teams. For those invited to be Irish Juniors, this is an opportunity to participate in Junior Volleyball without having to choose between a demanding club team and an alternative school sanctioned sport; as the schedules will be designed to complement each other and avoid conflict when possible. Our philosophy is that in-season school sanctioned sports should take priority.

Despite an affiliation with Cathedral High School, the Irish Juniors Volleyball Club welcomes many players into the Irish Juniors program regardless their intended high school. Although, please realize that should the level of player interest exceed our resources for adequate gym time and coaches, selection preference may favor more of the Cathedral bound applicants.

Coaches:

The coaches in the Irish Juniors program are either active Cathedral High School volleyball coaches or are alumni players, most with collegiate volleyball experience. This consistency of coaching will allow the Irish Juniors to be instructed utilizing the same Cathedral High School techniques that have produced6IHSAA girls’ state championships and8IBVCA boys’ state championships over the past 13years.

Dave Neal will be organizing and administering the Irish Juniors girls program again this year. Questions and/or indications of interest in the Irish Juniors can be directed to Coach Neal at .

Jean Kesterson (Cathedral’s H.S. girls’ head varsity coach and multi-year recipient of IHSAA coach of the year honors) and Rhonda Low (H.S. girls’ associate varsity coach and H.S. boys’ head varsity coach) will oversee preseason workouts and remain intricately involved with coaching direction and player training.

Team coaches in the Irish Juniors program will include John Kesterson (H.S. girls’ freshman coach and H.S. boys’ freshman coach), Brad Schrage (H.S. girls’ junior varsity coach and H.S. boys’ assistant coach), and former Cathedral players.

Schedule:

Our teams will play primarily in local, one-day tournaments and avoid the high-cost, multiple-day out of state events that cost family’s excess time and travel expenses. Though we will not travel great distances, rest assured, there is plenty of quality competition in central Indiana. The Irish Juniors teams will likely “play up” an age level in certain tournaments which will enhance the competition level for our athletes.

As gym space allows, our teams will practice 1 or 2 days per week beginning in November and usually play in 2 (1 day) tournaments per month, from January through Aprilor May. The practice frequency may increase by an additional day per week beginning mid-March. Again, it is anticipated that all tournaments will be local events. Last year our teams each played in 6-8 events, concluding by the middle of May.

Anticipate a similar schedule and per player cost of approximately $550-$650 this year.

Commitment:

When there is a conflict withCYO volleyballgames (or other school sanctioned sports), the school sanctioned game will take precedence. Still, please remember that our coaches are dedicating their time to train these players and in turn, they will expect a high level of commitment.

It is important to note that the Irish Juniors club is not being formed with the philosophy of “everyone pays so everyone plays” recreational-type atmosphere. In fact, it is certain that everyone will NOT receive equal playing time. This is not intended to scare anyone away but please know that we are looking for athletes that will be committed, budget their time with this as a priority, and approach it like high school level student athletes where playing time is earned based on practice and game performance.

Selection:

There will not be advertised, open tryoutsfor the Irish Juniors. If you are interested in participating, please email . Invitations generally go out to enough players to fill our rosters. Further invitations to fill roster openings are at the coaches’ discretion. Depending on commitments received, it is our hope to form four teams;one each registered at the 12U, 13U, 14U, and 15U levels.

Cost/Summary:

Again, playing time may not be allotted equally. Regardless, all players will pay the same amount. The approximate cost of participation will be $550-$650, depending on age group and playing schedule. This fee will cover:

  • Team uniform jerseys, spandex shorts
  • Officials fees
  • Coaching costs
  • Team & individual registration
  • Practices and Tournament entry fees